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Portrait of a Man by Andrea del Castagno

Andrea del Castagno · c. 1450

Who was this man? Andrea del Castagno's Portrait of a Man (c. 1450), housed at the National Gallery of Art, remains one of art history's persistent mysteries. Despite once gracing Italian 10,000 lira banknotes, the sitter's identity is still unknown.

The artist, Andrea del Castagno, was known for his distinctive, almost sculptural approach to figures, visible in the strong lines of the man's face and nose. But it's a tiny detail that could unlock the painting's secrets: the small, dark object held in his right hand.

Is it a symbol of his profession, like a stylus or baton, or a personal item like a ring? The ambiguity is genuine and a frequent topic among scholars. Resolving what he holds might finally reveal the identity of this Renaissance man.

What do you think he's holding?

Details

This man has held a powerful gaze for centuries.
This man has held a powerful gaze for centuries.
But his identity remains a mystery.
But his identity remains a mystery.
This painter was known for his sharp, sculptural figures.
This painter was known for his sharp, sculptural figures.
Now look at his right hand.
Now look at his right hand.
He holds a slender, dark object.
He holds a slender, dark object.
Transcript

This man has held a powerful gaze for centuries. He was once featured on Italian 10,000 lira banknotes. But his identity remains a mystery. This painter was known for his sharp, sculptural figures. Now look at his right hand. He holds a slender, dark object. Is it a ring, a stylus, or a baton? The answer could tell us who he was.